Cartridge staging device

ABSTRACT

A cartridge staging device for carrying or staging one or more ammunition cartridges is provided. The device may include one or more cartridge retainers, such as a proximal cartridge retainer, a terminal cartridge retainer, and a plurality of central cartridge retainers. The cartridge retainers may be coupled to a back plate which may include a first plate surface, a second plate surface, a plate upper end, and a plate lower end. The cartridge retainers may each be coupled to the first plate surface between the plate upper end and the plate lower end. The back plate may be substantially rigid so as to prevent a proximal cartridge retainer and terminal cartridge retainer from being moved proximate to each other. A handle may be coupled to the plate upper end.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 15/435,529, filed on Feb. 17, 2017, entitled“CARTRIDGE STAGING DEVICE”, which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of firearm cartridgeholders. More specifically, this patent specification relates to compactdevices which are able to stage and maintain a plurality of cartridgesin a readily accessible manner.

BACKGROUND

Users of firearms typically seek to have a supply of ammunition fortheir firearm in excess of the carrying capacity for their firearm. Thissupply of ammunition may be used to allow the user to select specific ordifferent types of ammunition cartridges as well as to facilitate thereloading process of their firearm. Currently available apparatuses forcarrying ammunition cartridges includes firearm magazine carriers,revolver ammunition dump pouches, speed loader carriers, cartridgecarrying belts and bandoliers, and holders for ammunition that may besecured to portions of a firearm.

Unfortunately, these currently available ammunition carrying devicessuffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, firearm magazinecarriers and other devices and methods that rely on ammunition beingstored in a magazine are unable to allow the user to easily select oneor more individual cartridges. As another example, revolver ammunitiondump pouches, speed loader carriers, cartridge carrying belts andbandoliers, and holders for ammunition that may be secured to portionsof a firearm all are relatively large and bulky ammunition carryingmethods. Furthermore, while these methods are able to secure ammunitioncartridges, they often are not able to do so in a discreet manner.

Therefore, a need exists for novel firearm cartridge holders. There isalso a need for novel compact devices which are able to stage andmaintain a plurality of cartridges in a readily accessible manner. Afurther need exists, for novel firearm cartridge holders able to allowthe user to easily select one or more individual cartridges. Finally, aneed exists for novel firearm cartridge holders which are able todiscreetly contain a supply of ammunition.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cartridge staging device for carrying or staging one or moreammunition cartridges is provided. The device may include one or morecartridge retainers, such as a proximal cartridge retainer, a terminalcartridge retainer, and a plurality of central cartridge retainers. Thecartridge retainers may be coupled to a back plate which may include afirst plate surface, a second plate surface, a plate upper end, and aplate lower end. The cartridge retainers may each be coupled to thefirst plate surface between the plate upper end and the plate lower end.The back plate may be substantially rigid so as to prevent a proximalcartridge retainer and terminal cartridge retainer from being movedproximate to each other. A handle may be coupled to the plate upper end.

In further embodiments, the cartridge retainers, such as the proximalcartridge retainer, plurality of central cartridge retainers, and theterminal cartridge retainer may be linearly oriented to each other.

In still further embodiments, one or more of the central cartridgeretainers may have a cartridge cavity, and a pressure finger may extendinto the cartridge cavity. The pressure finger may frictionally retain acartridge within the cartridge cavity.

In further embodiments, the device may have an elongated body having afirst side, a second side, a body upper end, and a body lower end. Ahandle may be coupled proximate to the upper end of the body. The handlemay have a loop shape. A plurality of cartridge retainers, each having acartridge cavity, may be disposed between the body upper end and thebody lower end. Preferably, an ammunition cartridge may be removablycoupled to the device by a cartridge retainer by being frictionallyretained within the cartridge cavity of the cartridge retainer.

In still further embodiments, an elongated body may include a back plateand a plurality of cartridge retainers. The body may have a first side,a second side, a body upper end, and a body lower end. The back platemay have a first plate surface, a second plate surface, a plate upperend, and a plate lower end. A handle may be coupled proximate to thebody upper end, such as to plate upper end of the back plate. Aplurality of cartridge retainers may be coupled to the first platesurface of the back plate between the plate upper end and the platelower end.

In still further embodiments, an elongated body may include a pluralityof cartridge retainers coupled together without a back plate. A loopshaped handle may be coupled to a cartridge retainer proximate to theupper end.

In still further embodiments, the device may include one or more clipswhich may be configured as a pocket clip or the like and which may beconfigured to clamp or otherwise secure the device to one or more otherobjects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an exampleand are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, inwhich like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an example of a cartridgestaging device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation view of an example of a cartridgestaging device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of another example of a cartridgestaging device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a side elevation view of another example of a cartridgestaging device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example of a cartridgestaging device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a front side perspective view of an example of a cartridgestaging device holding exemplary ammunition cartridges according tovarious embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a front side perspective view of another example of acartridge staging device holding exemplary ammunition cartridgesaccording to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of a further example of acartridge staging device according to various embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of still another example of acartridge staging device according to various embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 10 depicts a side front perspective view of yet a further exampleof a cartridge staging device according to various embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of yet a further example of acartridge staging device according to various embodiments describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”,“right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.However, one will understand that the invention may assume variousalternative orientations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describevarious elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element from anotherelement. For example, the first element may be designated as the secondelement, and the second element may be likewise designated as the firstelement without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refersto a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially”means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desiredvalue, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value andespecially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable,element or limit set forth herein.

New devices which are able to stage and maintain one or more ammunitioncartridges are discussed herein. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itwill be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and throughreferencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternativeembodiments. FIGS. 1-11 illustrate examples of a cartridge stagingdevice (“the device”) 100 according to various embodiments. The device100 may be used to carry one or more ammunition cartridges 200 (FIGS. 6and 7), sometimes called “cartridges” 200, such as rifle cartridges 200A(FIG. 6) and pistol cartridges 200B (FIG. 7). In some embodiments, thedevice 100 may comprise one or more cartridge retainers 31, such as aproximal cartridge retainer 31A, a terminal cartridge retainer 31C, anda plurality of central cartridge retainers 31B. The cartridge retainers31, 31A, 31B, 31C, may be coupled to a back plate 50. The back plate 50may include a first plate surface 51, a second plate surface 52, a plateupper end 53, and a plate lower end 54. The cartridge retainers 31, 31A,31B, 31C, may each be coupled to the first plate surface 51 between theplate upper end 53 and the plate lower end 54. The back plate may besubstantially rigid so as to prevent a proximal cartridge retainer 51Aand terminal cartridge retainer 51C from being moved proximate to eachother. A handle 21 may be coupled to the plate upper end 53.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a body 11 which maygenerally include a plurality of cartridge retainers 31 which may belinearly oriented to each other. In some embodiments, the device 100 maycomprise a proximal cartridge retainer 31A, a terminal cartridgeretainer 31C, and a plurality of central cartridge retainers 31B. Thecentral cartridge retainers 31B may include any cartridge retainer 31which may be disposed between a proximal cartridge retainer 31A and aterminal cartridge retainer 31C. In some embodiments and as shown inFIGS. 1-4, 10 and 11, a body 11 may comprise a back plate 50, and aproximal cartridge retainer 31A, a terminal cartridge retainer 31C, anda plurality of central cartridge retainers 31B may all be coupled to theback plate 50. In alternative embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 6-9, abody 11 may comprise a proximal cartridge retainer 31A, a terminalcartridge retainer 31C, and a plurality of central cartridge retainers31B in which the cartridge retainers 31A, 31B, 31C, are linearly coupledtogether as a single unit without a back plate 50.

Preferably, the device 100 may comprise an elongated body 11 which maycomprise a length that is greater than both its width and depthmeasurements. In some embodiments, the elongated body 11 may be formedby a back plate 50 which may comprise a length or strip of material towhich one or more cartridge retainers 31 may be coupled as shown inFIGS. 1-4, 10 and 11. In alternative embodiments as shown in FIGS. 6-9,the elongated body 11 may be formed by linearly and sequentiallycoupling the cartridge retainers 31A, 31B, 31C, together. The back plate50 may comprise a first plate surface 51, a second plate surface 52, aplate upper end 53, and a plate lower end 54. The back plate 50 may bemade from or comprise any suitable flexible and/or rigid material. Insome embodiments, a rigid material may comprise steel alloys, aluminum,aluminum alloys, copper alloys, any other type of metal or metal alloy,any type of ceramic, various types of hard plastics, such as nylon,acrylic, uPVC, HDPE, melamine, hard rubbers, fiberglass, carbon fiber,resins, such as epoxy resin, wood, other plant based materials, or anyother material including combinations of materials that aresubstantially rigid. In further embodiments, a flexible material maycomprise various types of flexible plastics such as polyvinyl chloride,natural or synthetic rubber, nylon webbing, polypropylene webbing,polyester webbing, neoprene foam rubber, synthetic fabrics such aspolyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, lastex, and Kevlar,and natural fabrics such as coir, cotton, hemp, jute, canvas, flax,leather, linen, ramie, wool, silk, or any other suitable flexiblenatural or synthetic material including combinations of materials.

In some embodiments, the body 11 may be substantially rigid to preventthe proximal cartridge retainer 31A and terminal cartridge retainer 31Cfrom being moved proximate to each other. In preferred embodiments, thedevice 100 may comprise a back plate 50 which may be substantially rigidto prevent the proximal cartridge retainer 31A and terminal cartridgeretainer 31C from being moved proximate to each other, and thesubstantially rigid back plate 50 may function to make the body 11substantially rigid to prevent the proximal cartridge retainer 31A andterminal cartridge retainer 31C from being moved proximate to eachother. By preventing the proximal cartridge retainer 31A and terminalcartridge retainer 31C from being moved proximate to each other, thedevice 100 may be prevented from being rolled into a circular shape. Forexample, a back plate 50 which may be substantially rigid to prevent theproximal cartridge retainer 31A and terminal cartridge retainer 31C frombeing moved proximate to each other may prevent the cartridge retainers31A, 31B, 31C, from being rolled into a circular orientation that issimilar to the circular orientation provided by firearms having arevolving cylinder typically adapted to receive between five and eightcartridges. However, a back plate 50 which may be substantially rigid toprevent the proximal cartridge retainer 31A and terminal cartridgeretainer 31C from being moved proximate to each other may still allowflexing so that the back plate 50 may not be completely rigid. Forexample, the back plate 50 may be slightly flexible so as to allow thecartridge retainers 31A, 31B, 31C, to be flexed between a linearorientation and an arc shaped orientation.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1, the largest dimensions ofthe elongated body 11 may be substantially formed by the back plate 50may comprise a width (W1). Each cartridge retainer 31 may compriseapproximately the same dimensions such as a width (W2). In furtherembodiments, the W1 of the elongated body 11 may be greater than orequal to the W2 of the cartridge retainers 31. In preferred embodiments,the W2 of the cartridge retainers 31 may be between 30% and 100%, andmore preferably between 50% and 70%, of the W1 of the elongated body 11.In alternative embodiments, the W1 of the elongated body 11 may be lessthan the W2 of the cartridge retainers 31. In further alternativeembodiments, the W1 of the elongated body 11 may be between 30% and 100%of the W2 of the cartridge retainers 31.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise one or more handles 21which may be positioned anywhere on the device 100. In furtherembodiments, a handle 21 may be coupled proximate to the body upper end14, such as to the plate upper end 53 and/or to a cartridge retainer 31.A handle 21 may comprise any shape which may be suitable for beinggrasped or manipulated by the hand of a user. In preferred embodiments,a handle 21 may comprise an annular or ring shape, such as a loop shape,having a finger aperture 22 or hollow interior, such as into which oneor more fingers may be inserted into. In some embodiments, a handle 21may have a relatively thin loop or ring shape and in furtherembodiments, a handle 21 may have a relatively thicker loop orcylindrical shape. In still further embodiments, a handle 21 may beformed from or comprise a loop of material which may be shaped to formand bound one or more finger apertures 22.

In some embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a handle 21 maycomprise a handle coupler 23 and a handle receiver 24, and the handlecoupler 23 may be removably coupled to the handle receiver 24.Optionally, a handle coupler 23 may be located at or proximate to thehandle distal end 26 while a handle receiver 24 may be located at orproximate to the handle proximal end 27 with the handle proximal end 27being coupled to the back plate 30 (FIGS. 1-5, 10, and 11), extension 42(FIG. 8), and/or proximal cartridge retainer 31A (FIG. 9). In furtherembodiments, the handle 21 may comprise a handle central region 28 whichmay extend between the handle distal end 26 and the handle proximal end27. Preferably, the handle 21 may be made from a flexible material sothat by removably coupling the handle coupler 23 to the handle receiver24, the handle 21 may be moved into and out of a compacted state such asfor storage. In preferred embodiments, when the handle coupler 23 iscoupled to the handle receiver 24, the handle 21 may be oriented in thelooped position 61 as shown in FIG. 10, and when the handle coupler 23is uncoupled from the handle receiver 24, the handle 21 may be orientedin the linear position 62 as also shown in FIG. 10.

In some embodiments, a handle coupler 23 may comprise one or more tabs25 or other protrusions which may be inserted into a handle receiver 24that may be configured as an aperture or other opening into which thetabs 25 and other portions of the handle coupler 23 may be inserted. Infurther embodiments, a handle receiver 24 may be configured as anaperture having a width dimension (W3), and the handle coupler 23 maycomprise two opposing tabs 25 which may extend away from the handlecoupler 23 a distance that is greater than W3 as shown in FIG. 10. Thehandle distal end 26 may be made from a flexible material which mayallow the handle distal end 26 to flex in order for the tabs 25 to beinserted into or removed from the handle receiver 24. In still furtherembodiments, the handle 21 may comprise a handle central region 28 thatmay comprise a width that does not exceed W3 (as shown in FIG. 10), andthe handle 21 may also comprise two opposing tabs 25 which may extendaway from the handle central region 28 a distance that is greater thanW3. In other embodiments, a handle coupler 23 and a handle receiver 24may be configured as magnetic fasteners, as threaded fasteners, or withany other removable coupling method which may be used to temporarilysecure the handle coupler 23 and handle receiver 24 together.

It should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that ahandle 21, back plate 50, cartridge retainer 31, extension 42, or anyother element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizesand shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangularshaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped,triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape,including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mentionall the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of theinvention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes usedherein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that variouschanges, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

A handle 21 may be made from or comprise any suitable rigid materialand/or flexible material which may be used to grip and manipulate adevice 100 which may be carrying or which has received one or moreammunition cartridges 200. In some embodiments, a handle 21 may becoupled to a back plate 50 as shown in FIGS. 1-7. In furtherembodiments, a handle 21 may be coupled to an extension 42 as shown inFIG. 8. In still further embodiments, a handle 21 may be coupled to acartridge retainer 31 as shown in FIG. 9.

Turning now to FIGS. 5, 10, and 11, in some embodiments, the device 100may comprise one or more clips 41 which may be positioned anywhere onthe device 100 and which may be configured to secure the device 100 toone or more other objects. Generally, a clip 41 may be a pocket clip orthe like which may be configured to clamp or otherwise secure a portionof fabric, such as a garment pocket fabric, or other narrow objects,such as a belt, strap, or the like, between one or more portions of theclip 41 or between one or more portions of the clip 41 and otherportions of the device 100, such as the elongated body 11. In preferredembodiments, a clip 41 may be coupled to the second side 13 of theelongated body 11, such as to a second plate surface 52 and/or to acartridge retainer 31. In further embodiments, a clip 41 and a handle 21may be coupled together or otherwise formed with a unitary structure soas to allow a clip 41 to function as a handle 21 or a handle 21 tofunction as a clip 41. In further embodiments, a clip 41 may compriseone or more barbs 43 which may protrude away from other portions of theclip 41, and which may prevent the clip 41 from accidentally becomingdislodge from an object to which it is placed in contact with, such as apocket, waist band, belt, etc. In still further embodiments, the backplate 50 may comprise a clip aperture 44 which may form an openingtowards which a barb 43 may be oriented and may optionally extend into.

As shown in FIGS. 1-11, the device 100 may comprise one or morecartridge retainers 31. Each cartridge retainer 31 may be configured toremovably couple a cartridge 200, such as a rifle cartridge 200A orpistol cartridge 200B, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 11. In preferredembodiments, the device 100 may comprise a proximal cartridge retainer31A, a terminal cartridge retainer 31C, and a plurality of centralcartridge retainers 31B which may be located between a proximalcartridge retainer 31A and a terminal cartridge retainer 31C. In furtherpreferred embodiments, the proximal cartridge retainer 31A, plurality ofcentral cartridge retainers 31B, and the terminal cartridge retainer 31Cmay be linearly oriented to each other.

A cartridge retainer 31 may be coupled anywhere on the device 100, whilein preferred embodiments, one or more cartridge retainers 31 may becoupled to the first plate surface 51 of the back plate 50 between theplate upper end 53 and plate lower end 54. In some embodiments, thecartridge retainers 31 may be positioned in a parallel and verticallyaligned orientation as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, 9, and 11.In other embodiments, the cartridge retainers 31 may be staggered orpositioned with any other orientation.

In some embodiments, a cartridge retainer 31 may be made from orcomprise a resilient material which is flexible to allow slightdeformation and resilient so as to return to its original shape afterdeformation. A resilient material may include plastics, such aspolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), low densitypolyethylene (LDPE), Polyoxymethylene (POM), Acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), Polyethylene/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PE/ABS),Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS), Ultra HighMolecular Weight polyethylene, Polyurethanes (PU), Polyamides (PA),nylon, acrylic, uPVC, natural and synthetic rubber, steel alloys,aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, any other type of metal ormetal alloy, melamine, fiberglass, carbon fiber, resins, such as epoxyresin, wood, other plant based materials, or any other materialincluding combinations of materials which may be generally flexible orrigid that allow slight deformation and are resilient so as to return toits original shape after deformation.

Each cartridge retainer 31 may comprise a cartridge cavity 32 and one ormore retaining walls 33. The one or more retaining walls 33 of acartridge retainer 31 may form and bound the cartridge cavity 32 of thecartridge retainer 31. A cartridge 200 may be removably coupled withinthe cartridge cavity 32 by one or more retaining walls 33 of thecartridge retainer 31. Preferably, a retaining wall 33 may comprise orbe configured with a curved planar shape which may wrap around orotherwise contact portions of a cartridge 200 that is received in thecartridge cavity 32. For example and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 8, and9, in some embodiments, a cartridge retainer 31 may be cylindrical inshape by comprising a retaining wall 33 which may have a curved planarshape, such as a cylinder shape, thereby forming a tubular shapedcartridge cavity 32 into which a cartridge 200 may be inserted.Preferably, all or portions of a tubular shaped cartridge cavity 32 maybe slightly smaller than a diameter of a cartridge 200 to be removablycoupled by the cartridge retainer 31 so that the cartridge 200 may beremovably coupled by being fictionally engaged to the cartridge retainer31. In still further embodiments, a cartridge retainer 31 may comprisetwo, three, or more cylinder shaped retaining walls 33.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, a cartridgeretainer 31 may comprise two or more opposing retaining walls 33 whichmay each have a curved planar shape. Two opposing retaining walls 33 maybe separated by a retainer aperture 34 thereby forming a “C” shapedcartridge cavity 32. A cartridge 200 may optionally be inserted into orremoved from the cartridge cavity 32 via a retainer aperture 34 andoptionally inserted into or removed from the cartridge cavity 32 withoutpassing through the retainer aperture 34.

Preferably, all or portions of a tubular shaped cartridge cavity 32 maybe slightly smaller than a diameter of a cartridge 200 to be removablycoupled by the cartridge retainer 31 so that the cartridge 200 may beremovably coupled by being fictionally engaged to the cartridge retainer31. Similarly, all or portions of a retainer aperture 34 may be slightlysmaller than a diameter of a cartridge 200 to be removably coupled bythe cartridge retainer 31, and also smaller than portions of thecartridge cavity 32 so that once in the cartridge cavity 32, thecartridge 200 may be frictionally prevented from being moved out of thecartridge retainer 31 through the retainer aperture 34. In furtherembodiments, a cartridge retainer 31 may comprise any number, such asthree, four, five, or more opposing retaining walls 33, and/or two,three, four, five, or more retainer apertures 34.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the device 100 maycomprise one or more, such as a plurality of cartridge retainers 31which may be coupled together to form an elongated body 11 having afirst side 12, a second side 13, an upper end 14, and a lower end 15. Inthis manner, a plurality of cartridge retainers 31 may be coupledtogether between the upper end 14 and the lower end 15. A handle 21comprising a loop of flexible and/or rigid material may be coupledproximate to the upper end 14. Optionally, a handle 21 and the pluralityof cartridge retainers 31 may be integrally formed together using aflexible and/or rigid material.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an extension 42 whichmay comprise a length of material which may be configured to separate acartridge retainer 31 from a handle 21 by a desired distance. Anextension 42 may be configured in any size and shape, such as agenerally rectangular shape. Optionally, a handle 21 may be coupled to acartridge retainer 31 via an extension 42. In alternative embodiments, aportion of a back plate 50 (FIGS. 1-7) may function as an extension 42.

As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a cartridge retainer 31, suchas a proximal cartridge retainer 31A, central cartridge retainer 31B,and/or terminal cartridge retainer 31C may comprise a retaining wall 33and a pressure arm 35 may be movably coupled to the retaining wall 33.When a cartridge 200 is inserted in the cartridge cavity 32 formed bythe retaining wall 33, the cartridge 200 may contact and press againstthe pressure arm 35 causing portions of the pressure arm 35 to move awayfrom the cartridge 200. In this manner, the pressure arm 35 may flexagainst the cartridge 200 to frictionally retain the cartridge 200within the cartridge cavity 32. In preferred embodiments, the pressurearm 35 may be movably coupled to a retaining wall 33 via a hinge 37,such as a living hinge, although any other type of hinge or movablecoupling method may be used. In alternative embodiments, a pressure arm35 may be movably coupled to a portion of the back plate 50 which mayform portions of the cartridge cavity 32 so that when a cartridge 200 isinserted in the cartridge cavity 32 formed by the retaining wall 33 andportions of the back plate 50, the cartridge 200 may contact and pressagainst the pressure arm 35 causing portions of the pressure arm 35 tomove away from the cartridge 200.

In further embodiments, a cartridge retainer 31, such as a proximalcartridge retainer 31A, central cartridge retainer 31B, and/or terminalcartridge retainer 31C may comprise a cartridge cavity 32 and a pressurefinger 36 may extend into the cartridge cavity 32 to contact portions ofa cartridge 200 positioned in the cartridge cavity 32. In someembodiments, a pressure finger 36 may be made of a flexible materialwhich may flex away from the cartridge cavity 32 when a cartridge 200 ispositioned in the cartridge cavity 32. In further embodiments, apressure finger 36 may be coupled to the retaining wall 33 that isbounding the cartridge cavity 32. In still further embodiments, apressure finger 36 may be coupled to a portion of the back plate 50 thatis bounding the cartridge cavity 32. In other embodiments, a pressurefinger 36 may be movably coupled to a retaining wall 33 and/or a portionof the back plate 50 that is bounding the cartridge cavity 32. Inpreferred embodiments, a pressure finger 36 may be coupled to a pressurearm 35.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a distal aperture 16.Generally, a distal aperture 16 may comprise a hole or opening throughwhich a lanyard, strap, rivet type fastener, threaded type fastener,other fastener, carabineer, or the like may be inserted and optionallyused to secure the device 100 to one or more other objects. In furtherembodiments, a distal aperture 16 may be disposed on or proximate to theplate lower end 54 of a back plate 50. In other embodiments, a distalaperture 16 may be disposed on or located on any other element discussedherein.

While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, theelements that comprise the device 100 such as the handle 21, cartridgeretainers 31, optional back plate 50, optional clip 41, optionalextension 42, and/or any other element discussed herein may be made fromdurable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metalalloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics,carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitablematerials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or moreelements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexiblematerials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any othersuitable materials including combinations of materials. In someembodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemicalbonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivettype fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, orany other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more ofthe elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removablyconnected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or morefasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic typefasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groovefasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners,ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, aturn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connectionmethod or any other suitable temporary connection method as onereasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function.In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise thedevice 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrallyformed with another element of the device 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described hereinwith reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof,it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplatedthereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge staging device for carrying one or more cartridges, the device comprising: a proximal cartridge retainer, a terminal cartridge retainer, and a plurality of central cartridge retainers; a back plate, wherein the back plate comprises a first plate surface, a second plate surface, a plate upper end, and a plate lower end, wherein the proximal cartridge retainer, terminal cartridge retainer, and plurality of central cartridge retainers are each coupled to the first plate surface between the plate upper end and the plate lower end, and wherein the back plate is substantially rigid to prevent the proximal cartridge retainer and terminal cartridge retainer from being moved proximate to each other; and a handle coupled to the plate upper end.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximal cartridge retainer, plurality of central cartridge retainers, and the terminal cartridge retainer are linearly oriented to each other.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a retaining wall, and wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a pressure arm that is movably coupled to the retaining wall.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the pressure arm is movably coupled to the retaining wall via a living hinge.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a cartridge cavity, and wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a pressure finger that extends into the cartridge cavity.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a retaining wall, wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a pressure arm that is movably coupled to the retaining wall, and wherein the pressure finger is coupled to the pressure arm.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a handle coupler and a handle receiver, and wherein the handle coupler is removably coupled to the handle receiver.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the handle is movable between a looped position and a linear position.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a handle receiver that is configured as an aperture having a width dimension (W3), and wherein the handle comprises a handle coupler having two opposing tabs that extend away from the handle coupler a distance that is greater than W3.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a clip.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the clip comprises a barb.
 12. A cartridge staging device for carrying one or more cartridges, the device comprising: a proximal cartridge retainer, a terminal cartridge retainer, and a plurality of central cartridge retainers, wherein the proximal cartridge retainer, plurality of central cartridge retainers, and the terminal cartridge retainer are linearly oriented to each other, wherein at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a cartridge cavity, and wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a pressure finger that extends into the cartridge cavity; a back plate, wherein the back plate comprises a first plate surface, a second plate surface, a plate upper end, and a plate lower end, wherein the proximal cartridge retainer, terminal cartridge retainer, and plurality of central cartridge retainers are each coupled to the first plate surface between the plate upper end and the plate lower end, and wherein the back plate is substantially rigid to prevent the proximal cartridge retainer and terminal cartridge retainer from being moved proximate to each other; and a handle coupled to the plate upper end.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a retaining wall, and wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a pressure arm that is movably coupled to the retaining wall.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the pressure arm is movably coupled to the retaining wall via a living hinge.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a retaining wall, wherein the at least one central cartridge retainer of the plurality of central cartridge retainers comprises a pressure arm that is movably coupled to the retaining wall, and wherein the pressure finger is coupled to the pressure arm.
 16. The device of claim 12, wherein the handle comprises a handle coupler and a handle receiver, and wherein the handle coupler is removably coupled to the handle receiver.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the handle is movable between a looped position and a linear position.
 18. The device of claim 12, wherein the handle comprises a handle receiver that is configured as an aperture having a width dimension (W3), and wherein the handle comprises a handle coupler having two opposing tabs that extend away from the handle coupler a distance that is greater than W3.
 19. The device of claim 12, further comprising a clip.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the clip comprises a barb. 